The Rhizosphere: Subterranean Listening

For about a decade, I have thought of composing as a form of sonic gardening. The processes are very similar in that I cultivate ecosystems of interrelated parts, whether in sound or in the soil. My interests in creating sonic ecosystems and in learning more about environmental issues motivated me to research soil health and the rhizosphere, the microbiome around a plant's root system. For my dissertation project I have composed a piece titled The Rhizosphere inspired by the processes and behaviors found in the rhizosphere for percussion sextet of about 8 minutes in duration. This piece was commissioned by the Arizona Contemporary Music Ensemble, with a performance date of April 21, 2022. In this document, I discuss issues relating to soil and sustainability, provide a survey of relevant sound art, and describe processes and features of the rhizosphere. I share how I mapped different aspects of the rhizosphere to various sonic parameters and processes in my composition. I then consider The Rhizosphere as it relates to other pieces in my portfolio, specifically works inspired by nature or environmental issues. During my doctoral studies I have been inspired by and sought to depict plants (Dandelion) and desert (Desertification and Desert Rain God), among others.